A six-member delegation led by the Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission Ivars Ijabs met with Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Ali Riaz on Monday evening.
During the meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office, when the European Union side inquired about Bangladesh’s upcoming referendum, parliamentary election, reforms, and constitutional amendments, Ali Riaz explained the context, background, and the July Charter.
He said, “To make the democratic journey nice and smooth, and to ensure people’s rights are no longer deprived, the interim government is undertaking reform initiatives to uphold the spirit of the July mass uprising.”
He informed the delegation that the July Charter was formulated after nearly nine months of discussions with the country’s political parties, which the parties subsequently signed.
Expressing optimism about the implementation of the July Charter, Riaz sought the European Union’s support for Bangladesh’s efforts towards democratic transition.
Assuring continued support in that regard, the European Union delegation leader Ivars Ijabs stated that the EU has always been respectful towards democracy and freedom of expression. He expressed support for the interim government’s reforms and the organisation of the referendum to ensure its success.
Ivars Ijabs expressed hope that a new democratic journey in Bangladesh will begin through the upcoming election, and the relationship between the EU and Bangladesh will become even stronger in the future.
Others present in the delegation included the Deputy Chief Election Observer, Inta Lase, Political Analyst Marcel Nagy, Caleri Ricardo, Irini Gaunari, and Ann Marlborough.
